October 7-10th three day Fall Getaway on the Disney Wonder!

[chellealistic]

- We're booked in a Cat 11 on Deck 6, but I was wondering what the chances were of being upgraded? Does it ever happen after you get your room assignment, say when you are checking in? If it doesn't, do they offer the chance to upgrade for cheaper while you are checking in?

I'm okay with our room because I have a feeling that we aren't going to be in it very much, but I was just curious.

- I know that they give discounts on future bookings if you do so while on the cruise. My question is, if you book a dummy date for a year in advance and then it turns out you can't do it is there any cancellation fee or can you keep moving the date ahead? I ask because by this time next year I hope to be pregnant!

- When you put your luggage out the night of the last day aboard, can you lock it up and secure it or do they need it to be unlocked so they can go through it for any reason?

- I see a lot of lists of what people say to bring with you but it seems like so much stuff. Since this is only a 3 day cruise, what things do you feel are the necessities that won't contribute to over-packing? I am hoping to just take one small suitcase and one carry-on each at the very most.

I'm sure I will have more questions since we are getting closer to the big day I feel bad for people who are going on a cruise for the first time and don't have all you wonderful people to help us with those little nagging questions!

Thanks in advance!
Michelle

 

[chellealistic]

Michelle you are going to absolutely love it. This is my DD23 favorite park...especially when it's F & W fest.

I am really looking forward to it! I'm thinking that our park hopper pass may be wasted because I may just want to spend the entire time at Epcot

 

[loschavez2k]

We are Disneyland fanatics and have been to Disneyworld one time last Nov.
On Oct. 1st we head to WDW and will then board the Wonder on Oct. 7. It will be me, my husband, our 8 year old son and 6 year old daughter. Also traveling on the cruise portion of the trip is my husband's brother-in-law. We're excited. Don't know what to expect. Just wanted to check in. How early should we get to Port Canaveral? We can get there early. First cruise for everyone except the brother-in-law. His was not a Disney cruise.

 

[Dicecatt]

- We're booked in a Cat 11 on Deck 6, but I was wondering what the chances were of being upgraded? Does it ever happen after you get your room assignment, say when you are checking in? If it doesn't, do they offer the chance to upgrade for cheaper while you are checking in?

I don't think upgrades are going to happen much for this cruise, it isn't very full. Normally they upgrade lower cats to higher so they clear out the lower cats and sell them again. I've never seen an unpaid upgrade at port, but if upgrades are available, they ARE cheaper at port than in advance! I've been upgraded on every cruise but this one.

I'm okay with our room because I have a feeling that we aren't going to be in it very much, but I was just curious.

- I know that they give discounts on future bookings if you do so while on the cruise. My question is, if you book a dummy date for a year in advance and then it turns out you can't do it is there any cancellation fee or can you keep moving the date ahead? I ask because by this time next year I hope to be pregnant!

You can move it, although you may lose the discount but keep the onboard credit. Suites have different rules though.

- When you put your luggage out the night of the last day aboard, can you lock it up and secure it or do they need it to be unlocked so they can go through it for any reason?

Treat it as you would at the airport.

- I see a lot of lists of what people say to bring with you but it seems like so much stuff. Since this is only a 3 day cruise, what things do you feel are the necessities that won't contribute to over-packing? I am hoping to just take one small suitcase and one carry-on each at the very most.

Those packing lists are huge...here off the top of my head are some musts for me:

Any pirate gear if you are into that
dressy clothes if you are going to Palo
Your own snorkel equipment if you will need some
light bag for shore excursions
larger cups for refillable sodas
lighted travel clock or similar, inside cabins are DARK and if you want to know what time it is, bring your own
there are very few plugs, so we usually bring a power strip


I'm sure I will have more questions since we are getting closer to the big day I feel bad for people who are going on a cruise for the first time and don't have all you wonderful people to help us with those little nagging questions!

Thanks in advance!
Michelle

Hope that helped

 

[Dicecatt]

We are Disneyland fanatics and have been to Disneyworld one time last Nov.
On Oct. 1st we head to WDW and will then board the Wonder on Oct. 7. It will be me, my husband, our 8 year old son and 6 year old daughter. Also traveling on the cruise portion of the trip is my husband's brother-in-law. We're excited. Don't know what to expect. Just wanted to check in. How early should we get to Port Canaveral? We can get there early. First cruise for everyone except the brother-in-law. His was not a Disney cruise.

Hi and welcome! You'll love DCL!

As far as when to arrive, you can't get in before 10 or 10:30 AM, and it is really up to you as far as when to arrive. If you want to be one of the first on the ship, get there early to get an early boarding. We usually arrive around noon or so.

 

[FrigulettoEA]

- I see a lot of lists of what people say to bring with you but it seems like so much stuff. Since this is only a 3 day cruise, what things do you feel are the necessities that won't contribute to over-packing? I am hoping to just take one small suitcase and one carry-on each at the very most.

I usually pack for a short cruise: power strip, 3 sets of day clothes, 3 sets dinner clothes (I try to bring 1pr pants, 1 skirt and 3 shirts/blousesto mix & match), 2 swimsuits, 1 dressy & 1 comfy sandals, travel mug for drinks and all this is packed in 1 suitcase which is packed in another suitcase because my mother is a shopaholic. Oh and lots of $1's for room service for my kids.

Most articles you read about packing tell you to pack & then take 1/2 the stuff out because you don't wear/use it.

 

[chellealistic]

Hope that helped

It definitely helped

Do you really think the cruise won't be that full? It seems that it will be from the fact that Palo is completely booked up for the entire cruise. I tried to call to change it because I was having doubts about having the 8pm seating and then being able to get away quickly enough to enjoy the Pirate Night stuff, but they said it couldn't be changed because there weren't any available seatings and that I'd have to wait until I'm onboard to see if we can switch.

 

[Dicecatt]

It definitely helped

Do you really think the cruise won't be that full? It seems that it will be from the fact that Palo is completely booked up for the entire cruise. I tried to call to change it because I was having doubts about having the 8pm seating and then being able to get away quickly enough to enjoy the Pirate Night stuff, but they said it couldn't be changed because there weren't any available seatings and that I'd have to wait until I'm onboard to see if we can switch.

I don't think it will be empty, but there are still a lot of cabins left in most of the categories. As far as Palo goes (FYI, we will be at Palo at 7 on Pirate night!) it is usually not hard to change it once you are onboard, except when you have a really full ship. I've changed my Palo reservation several times onboard. But I'll mention this too...DH and I wouldn't mind swapping with you if you can't change it while you are onboard, we don't mind missing Pirate night, I like to watch the fireworks but we have done Pirate night and aren't planning on attending. Once you get onboard try to change it...if you can't, call my cabin and we'll talk about swapping!

Also, if you can't change to what you want, you can always just show up early and ask to be seated as soon as possible.

 

[chellealistic]

I don't think it will be empty, but there are still a lot of cabins left in most of the categories. As far as Palo goes (FYI, we will be at Palo at 7 on Pirate night!) it is usually not hard to change it once you are onboard, except when you have a really full ship. I've changed my Palo reservation several times onboard. But I'll mention this too...DH and I wouldn't mind swapping with you if you can't change it while you are onboard, we don't mind missing Pirate night, I like to watch the fireworks but we have done Pirate night and aren't planning on attending. Once you get onboard try to change it...if you can't, call my cabin and we'll talk about swapping!

Also, if you can't change to what you want, you can always just show up early and ask to be seated as soon as possible.

Ah, I see what you mean. I was wondering if they would bump us because I'd seen previously that you thought it might be not as full. I understand how that works, from their standpoint. Whichever way makes them the most money! A lot of people seem to think you have to book a certain Cat from the beginning in order to be bumped up later. If we end up booking onboard for a future cruise, what is your suggestion to do?

By the way, in an earlier post on this thread, you asked if anyone else was GTY. What does that mean?

I will keep in mind about your willingness to switch! DH keeps saying that he doesn't think it'll be a big deal, but I'm paranoid. Hehe.

 

[chellealistic]

I usually pack for a short cruise: power strip, 3 sets of day clothes, 3 sets dinner clothes (I try to bring 1pr pants, 1 skirt and 3 shirts/blousesto mix & match), 2 swimsuits, 1 dressy & 1 comfy sandals, travel mug for drinks and all this is packed in 1 suitcase which is packed in another suitcase because my mother is a shopaholic. Oh and lots of $1's for room service for my kids.

Most articles you read about packing tell you to pack & then take 1/2 the stuff out because you don't wear/use it.

That sounds reasonable to me! It's just one of those things where if you've never been in the situation before you feel like you have to be over prepared in case something happens. I'm naturally cautious so my brain thinks I need to pack up my entire house to bring just to be on the safe side!

I like the suitcase in a suitcase idea! I never thought of that.

 

[Dicecatt]

Ah, I see what you mean. I was wondering if they would bump us because I'd seen previously that you thought it might be not as full. I understand how that works, from their standpoint. Whichever way makes them the most money! A lot of people seem to think you have to book a certain Cat from the beginning in order to be bumped up later. If we end up booking onboard for a future cruise, what is your suggestion to do?

By the way, in an earlier post on this thread, you asked if anyone else was GTY. What does that mean?

I will keep in mind about your willingness to switch! DH keeps saying that he doesn't think it'll be a big deal, but I'm paranoid. Hehe.

Well, a lot of people have theories about upgrades. GTY means Guarantee...you don't pick a stateroom, you give Disney the ability to put you wherever they want. In turn, sometimes they upgrade you, because they need to clear out a lower category. It is more likely for you to get an upgrade if you choose a GTY...however, you have to be willing to take whatever location they give you. If you don't like your location, you can choose to upgrade if there is availability, at more of a cost to you.

For me, I've had GTY with almost every cruise...and except for this one, I've gotten upgraded, from slightly to hugely. It really is luck of the draw, and what other categories are selling/not selling. I'd be happy to help you onboard if you'd like...I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to book also!

 

[loschavez2k]

On the very first post of this thread dicecatt mentions FEs. What is this?

 

[Dicecatt]

On the very first post of this thread dicecatt mentions FEs. What is this?

FE means Fish Extender...there are Fish clips outside of each cabin door that you can hang holders from, and when you are in a Fish Extender group, you exchange gifts. At this point, if you wanted to participate I'd have to ask eveyrone else involved if it is okay, because they may have already purchased/made their gifts, so let me know if you are interested and I'll contact everyone and ask.

If you do a search, you can find threads about FEs with pictures

 

[Nikki'sMommy]

I have no problem putting together another FE for another cabin if they wish to join...

TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY WE WILL BE CRUISING

(and 10/7 is my 10th wedding anniversary so there will be some Veuve Cliquot involved.)

 

[FrigulettoEA]

I have no problem putting together another FE for another cabin if they wish to join...

ditto

 

[loschavez2k]

Thanks for the offers. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed getting ready before we leave on 10/1 for the WDW part of our vacation so I think we won't do the FEs. I have a feeling that this will not be our only Disney cruise as we are already fanatics and all we do is plan Disney vacations. We'll learn the ropes this time. If any informal meetings take place it would be nice to meet you all, especially those excited newlyweds! We are Los Chavez:

Venita Chavez and family

 

[FrigulettoEA]

Disney Cruises are like potatoe chips. You can't stop at one.

 

[Dicecatt]

Disney Cruises are like potatoe chips. You can't stop at one.

I like this !

Totally true...that is why we are going on this one. We are itching to be back onboard, and it has only been since May!

 

[Nikki'sMommy]

I don't know how I was able to do it with a 4 yr. old looking over my shoulder and questioning everything put into the bags..(only the kids stuff).. I'm a rookie so I hope I did OK.... It was definately easier picking up things for the "younger" ones... I was so organized, too...Every bag had it's stateroom on it, with the cruisers and the ages if known... It will be nice and easy and truthfully, I am glad we are a small group- I was able to get a few more things for everyone and it was so much fun shopping!!!!! (We are allowed to bring live animals onboard, aren't we???).....

 

[chellealistic]

Disney Cruises are like potatoe chips. You can't stop at one.

I'm already working on implanting the idea of booking a second cruise while on board in my husband's brain. He might not bite, but darn it I'm going to try my hardest!